Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
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Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences

Institute for Digital Materials Research

BMWi-ZIM: Enhanced Biostimulation of Indigenous Microbes via Groundwater Recirculation (IEG-GCW®)

Contact: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Britta Nestler
Funding: Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) - ZIM
Start date: 2016
End date: 2017

A combination process for microbiological in-situ groundwater remediation is being developed at an industrial site in Barcelona that is contaminated with LHKW. The process consists of a central groundwater circulation well (GCW) with surrounding multilevel injection wells. A nutrient mixture is being developed in laboratory tests. The cyclic operation of the well creates complex flow conditions that result in the mixing of contaminants and nutrients in the groundwater. The effectiveness of the process will be further developed through laboratory analysis, molecular biology and isotope studies. In existing modelling tools, the flows and processes in the pore channels are being revised to more accurately dimension remediation configurations.

At IDM, the flow behaviour through the porous microstructure under induced suction is investigated in simulation studies. The microflow simulations support the design of the GCW by providing suggestions for a suitable sand structure with integrated microchannel system as well as optimised flow and process controls in three-dimensional computer models by varying the induced flow direction.